A policewoman armed with Heckler and Koch G36, a Taser gun and a Glock 17 pistol (Picture: Reuters)

A firearms officer whose gun was too big for her hands has won a sex discrimination case against police bosses.

Victoria Wheatley struggled with the grip and could not reach the trigger of the Glock 17, a tribunal heard.

On several occasions, the officer, described as being ‘petite in nature’ and ‘with small hands’, asked for a smaller grip but this did not happen.

She needed it adjusted to carry out a test shoot for her job in the armed unit which protects the Sellafield nuclear complex in Cumbria.

The tribunal found the Civil Nuclear Constabulary guilty of discrimination against Ms Wheatley and another officer, Racheal Giles, in the provision of suitable firearms and safety equipment.

Their solicitor, Binder Bansel, said officers were required to reach recognised standards at annual training shoots.

‘Continued failure at these shoot days results in an unsatisfactory assessment which could lead to the officer being dismissed,’ he told the hearing.

Ms Wheatley and Ms Giles said there were other problems at the tests, including ill-fitting protection equipment, as the helmets and kneepads were too large, which impeded performance.

The women raised their concerns on ‘a regular basis’ but were often dismissed with no ‘adequate consideration’, the tribunal was told.

After the judgment, the Civil Nuclear Police Federation, which supported the women’s claim, said it hoped the constabulary would remove the ‘disadvantage’ and ensure all officers had a fair opportunity.